FROM THE CHILD'S POINT OF VIEW.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 156, 2 July 1892, Page 11

FROM THE CHILD'S POINT OF VIEW.

The majority of parents show a complete ignorance and want or appreciation of the child's point of view. Thab this little being, entirely dependent upon and under subjection to the author of his existence, can have his own small dignity, pride and self-respecb is a condition rarely recognised by the parents, The other evening a mother was comraentipg in the presence of the children upon the difference between her son of eleven and her daughter of nine years of age. ' Harry,' she' said, 'is quiet, fond of: reading, and sedentary in his tastes. and occupations, while Nell, here,' 'a robust) girl glowing with health and spirits, 'is boy all the way through. Really, I think Harry should have been the girl and vice versa.'

The mother glanced ub her boy as she finished, and riotioed ab the momenb with what a feeble contortion Harry attempted to smile an answer to this pleasantry,"but ib made no lasting impreE-sion, and soon tho children said good-night. V Tho next morning, however, after breakfast, and while the family were distributing: themselves to morning duties, Harry managed to get his mother alone. 'Mamma,' he began bravely, 'you don't know how you made mo feel lasfc night to say before Mrs L. thab I should have been the gJrl,' and long before he had.fini9hed he had dropped his head on her shoulder with a burst of long-penb foeling. '. •I lay awake lots in the night,' he sobbed, • wishing you hadn't done Ft).' The mother was overwhelmed, It was her firsb intimation of the dish-ess her wordshad wrought. The boy was right. She did nob i know,' and ib is to her credit that she made all the reparation possible, reinstating the boy in his own manliness ab the n'rsb opportunity in his and Mrs L.V presence, and takiDg the lesson to heart tor